The leader of the fundamentalist Mormon church who escaped authorities nearly a year ago is in jail in South Dakota. Officials in Utah say Lyle Jeffs likely faces a felony charge for escaping custody in addition to food stamp fraud charges.

South Dakota authorities discovered Lyle Jeffs Wednesday evening near Yankton. A tip the day before included a description of late model Ford F-150. FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Barnhart in Salt Lake City says that identified the FLDS leader.

South Dakotans can now report tips about illegal drugs through text messages. Project Stand Up is a statewide campaign that collects anonymous tips about drug crime. Authorities say the program is part enforcement and part deterrent.

With one word and five numbers, people who suspect illegal drug activity can report it. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says cell phone users text "drugs" to 82257.

More state and local law enforcement authorities are talking about their feelings. It’s happening in part through a course on emotional intelligence. The State of South Dakota mandates it during training for city police, county officers, and state troopers.

Almost nothing is visible in the blackness when a trainer’s voice echoes through the dark. He instructs recruits to use a light technique of their choice. He gives the command, and recruits pull their guns and prepare to shoot.

Erik Bringswhite is a former Rapid City gang member who now works to stop meth use in South Dakota. Bringswhite uses Lakota culture and spirituality to reach out to those who are struggling with addiction.

Bringswhite is a meth prevention coordinator with the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He stopped by the Rapid City studio for an interview with a group of individuals working to curb the use of the addictive drug in the state.

On this week's edition of Dakota Digest, the people of Sioux Falls are showing support to the local police force. Also, Governor Dennis Daugaard has called upon the Drought Task Force - as most of the state is dealing with drought and/or abnormally dry conditions. Artists are gathering on the Pine Ridge Reservation, learning alternative ways to express themselves.

The shootings in Dallas where 5 police officers died and many others were injured have sparked conversations about tension between citizens and law enforcement. What does it all mean for South Dakota?

Dakota Midday is joined by Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris, community advisory board member Vaughn Vargas and Officer Tim Doyle. Doyle was severely injured after responding to a routine call of people drinking alcohol in a park. Two of Doyle’s fellow officers were killed in the shooting.

Lori Walsh speaks with James Jacoby, writer/producer/director of the new FRONTLINE documentary “Policing the Police.”

Jacoby examines Newark, New Jersey’s history of police abuses and the deep-rooted challenges of fixing a broken relationship with the community. More than a year in the making, it’s a provocative journey inside one of many police departments across the country that’s now being forced to reform by the Justice Department.

Technology changes every job, and with every change, comes challenges. Kelly Fuller is the Chief of Police in Deadwood. His department has been researching the use of body cameras for law enforcement officers. Chief Fuller discusses the technical specifics of the cameras and how law enforcement officers today strive for transparency, accountability, and officer safety.

A Sioux Falls Police officer says a weekend shooting involving federal authorities is one example of local law enforcement collaborating with other agencies. The FBI is leading an investigation into a South Carolina murder suspect killed by a US Marshal Saturday in Sioux Falls.

Leadership in the Sioux Falls police department changes next month. The current assistant chief is taking over as chief, and the mayor has appointed a new second-in-command. Both men share a similar vision that emphasizes community.

The faces of top law enforcement in Sioux Falls are familiar, but their titles are changing – even to Mayor Mike Huether.

"But it is probably why it was such an emotional day when Galen – I’m sorry. I’ll call you Galen just for only the one time," Huether says. "But you’ve earned Captain, and you certainly have earned Assistant Chief, Galen."

Assistant Police Chief Matt Burns is the mayor’s choice for the next leader of the Sioux Falls Police Department. Current chief Doug Barthel is leaving the force after more than 12 years in command. The newly-announced chief already has priorities for his tenure.

Matt Burns has spent almost 19 years with Sioux Falls Police. He became assistant chief in March. Now Mayor Mike Huether says Burns is his pick to lead the department.

A group called The Rainbow Family is planning a large gathering in the Black Hills that could bring thousands of people to the area. The gathering is set for early July but local law enforcement say they are concerned about increased panhandling and soliciting that may come alongside the event.

Brendyn Medina is the community relations specialist for the Rapid City Police Department. He says the department is preparing for what could be thousands of people in the Black Hills for the Rainbow Gathering.

Officials have released the names of people involved in Thursday’s shooting at a Lennox business. Police say the shooter argued with a Sioux Steel Pro-Tec worker at 9:30 a.m. He came back with a gun that afternoon.

Law enforcement officials say 45-year-old Jon Richter of Lennox was shot and killed Thursday while he was working in an office area at Pro-Tec around 2 p.m. Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson says, that morning, the shooter argued with Richter about a trailer that needed to be driven to another state before the shooting in the afternoon.

This story examines police and race relations in Rapid City 15 years after the US Civil Rights Commission came to South Dakota and issued this report citing a lack of trust in law enforcement by Native Americans.

Listen to the story here:

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT:

HOST LEAD:

Race relations and allegations of police brutality are among the top national headlines this year, from Ferguson, Missouri to New York City scenes like this are playing out in mass protests.

Rapid City Police officials say they received a request for a permit for a “Police Brutality Awareness Walk” through downtown. The event was set to take place this Friday starting and ending at the Rapid City Civic Center.

The Lakota Nation Invitational is also taking place at the Civic Center. In a press release Chief Karl Jegeris says the demonstrators planning this event also organized a past protest against the Regional Hospital. Police officials say numerous public safety issues arose at that event.